Countries without military forces

Countries without military forces

Many countries spend millions to strengthen their armed forces and show how powerful they are. However, these are many countries who don’t feel the need to have a military force at all. Let’s take a look at some of these countries.

Andorra

This sovereign landlocked microstate doesn’t have a standing military; instead, it has treaties with its two bordering nations — France and Spain — for protection. For emergency situations and natural disasters, it has an alarm that calls for able-bodied Andorrans to serve. The European country has a well-equipped internal police force as well as a special unit for counter-terrorism operations.

Costa Rica

The Central American country abolished its army in 1948, following a brutal 44-day civil war. In fact, it celebrates Dec. 1 as Military Abolition Day. The country maintains a small paramilitary force, which is responsible for policing as well as patrol operations.

Dominica

The Caribbean nation abolished its standing army in 1981 and now its defense is taken care of by the Regional Security System — an international agreement that takes care of the security in the eastern Caribbean region. The country does have an internal police force.

Federated States of Micronesia

Spread across the Western Pacific Ocean, the island nation doesn’t have regular military as its security needs are taken care of by the U.S. with a free association agreement. The agreement also allows Micronesian citizens to join the U.S. military without taking up the U.S. citizenship or permanent residency in the country.

Grenada

After the 1983 invasion by the U.S., the Caribbean country abolished its military. The Royal Grenada Police Force takes care of the internal security, while the Regional Security System is responsible for the country’s defense.

Haiti

Plagued by the brutal dictatorship of François Duvalier and several military coups, they abolished its standing army in 1995. Its police force does include paramilitary units and is fairly well-equipped.

Iceland

The Scandinavian nation abolished its military in 1869. However, the U.S. kept a military base in the country from 1951 until 2006. Nonetheless, Iceland does have an air defense system, a peacekeeping force, militarized coast guard and well-armed police forces. The country, which is an active NATO member, has agreements for military and other security operations with neighboring states and other NATO countries.

Kiribati

The constitution of the country, located in the Central Pacific Ocean, prevents it from having a military. For its defense needs, Australia and New Zealand help the island nation, while internal security is taken care by the internal police.

Liechtenstein

The small European state abolished its army in 1868 due to the high cost of maintaining it. However, it does have a provision of forming an army in a war situation — a scenario that has never arose. The Liechtenstein National Police Force looks after internal security, while the country maintains close ties with neighboring states for defense cooperation.

Marshall Islands

The island nation that comprises over 1,150 individual islands and islets is prevented from having an army of its own. Being part of the Compact of Free Association, its defensive needs are addressed by the U.S. However, it has a police force for internal security.

Mauritius

The island nation located in the Indian Ocean has a police force, a special mobile force and national coast guards — the latter two are considered paramilitary units — but no standing army since 1968.

Monaco

The principality hasn’t had a standing army since the 17th century when it was abolished. Although France looks after Monaco’s defense, the country has two military units — one that looks after the principality’s royal family and the other after its citizens.

Nauru

The Central Pacific nation does not have a military but it has an informal agreement with Australia for defensive cooperation. The world’s third smallest country by area does have a well-equipped police force for internal security.

Palau

The island country is part of the Compact of Free Association with the U.S., meaning its security is the responsibility of the United States. The local police maintains law and order in the country that spreads over 179.75 square miles (465.55 square kms).

Saint Lucia

Like many of its neighbors, Saint Lucia’s defense is provided by the Regional Security System. The Royal Saint Lucia Police, which was established in 1834, looks after its internal security.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

The Caribbean country is another country whose defense needs are addressed by the Regional Security System. The Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force are tasked with maintaining internal law and order.

Samoa

The Polynesian nation doesn’t have a military but it has informal defensive ties with New Zealand under the 1962 Treaty of Friendship. Samoa’s small police force and its Maritime Surveillance Unit are responsible for internal security.

Solomon Islands

The island nation’s Royal Solomon Islands Police Force had paramilitary elements but they were disbanded and disarmed in 2003 following internal ethnic conflict that saw the involvement of New Zealand, Australia and other Pacific countries to maintain law and order. Now the country’s defense is the responsibility of the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands.

Tuvalu

The Polynesian island nation has never had an army but its internal security is looked after by the Tuvalu Police Force and a maritime surveillance unit.

Vatican City

The walled enclave is the smallest sovereign state in the world — both in terms of size and population. Located within Rome, Vatican doesn’t have a defense treaty with Italy due to the former’s stance of staying neutral. The Noble Guard and the Palatine Guard were abolished in 1970. However, the largely ceremonial Swiss Guards are responsible for protection of the Pope, while the Gendarmerie Corps looks after the internal security.